Washing machine



Aug. 9, 1938. D. e. ALEXOPOULOS WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1935 Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHlNG momma:

Demetrius G. Alexopoulos. Milwaukee, Wis.

Application November 2, 1935, Serial No. 48.0%

2 Claims. (Cl. 68-207) This invention pertains to washing machines, and has primarily for its object to improve conventional structures by the provision of means to facilitate rinsing oi the clothes without removal of the same from the washing receptacle.

Incidental to the ioregolng, a more specific object resides in the provision of means for drawing ofi scum and dirt from the top of the washing water, and removing and storing the remaining soap water for subsequent use, ii desired.

A still further object is to provide a conventional wash tub or receptacle with an auxiliary reservoir for the storage oi soap water, and a circulating pump communicating with the receptacle and reservoir, whereby withdrawal of scum is facilitated and the tub may be drained to either the auxiliary reservoir, or a suitable discharge to the sewer.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinaiter described and morepartlcularly defined by the appended claims, it being under stood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a vertical section through a was ing machine incorporating the features of the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are vertical sections through the upper valve controllin communication to the circulating pump, andl lustrating the operative positions oi the valve, and

Figures 4 and 5 are similar views of the lower' valve for controlling discharge from the circulating pump.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral I designates the main receptacle of a washing machine of any conventional type, the same being supported upon airame 2, provided with the usual casters 3 for portability. Mounted on the frame 2 is an electric motor 4, which through a conventional transmission 5 operates anoscillating agitator 8 mounted in the main receptacle, and also operates a wringer I. I

It is to be understood that the toregolng is conventional, and therefore forms no part of the ceptacle I.

present invention other than in the combination hereinafter claimed.

The receptacle I adjacent its upper end is provided with an auxiliary reservoir 8, which may be formed in any manner, but for the purpose of 5 illustration the side wall oi the receptacle l is turned inwardly at 9, and an outwardly flared annular rim i0 is welded or secured to the side wall in any suitable manner.

Below the juncture of the wall 9 and the rim l0, which form the reservoir 8, the rim ill is bowed outwardly to form an annular channel ll surrounding the main receptacle. Communicating with the channel are a plurality of openings i2,-which are normally closed by the plates i3 slldably mounted in suitable brackets l4 secured to the inner face of the side wall of the main re- Suitable hose or pipe connections l5 and I6 communicate with the main receptacle i to supply either hot or cold water from any available source. a

The receptacle I is provided with a drain outlet I! communicating with a conventional type of pump l8, through the line l9, and disposed between the outlet l1 and the pump |8 is a threeway valve 20, which is connected with the annular channel II by a pipe 2|. The discharge side of the pump is provided with a line 2|, which may lead to a sewer, or any other source of disposal, and disposed in the line is a three-way valve 22, communicating with the auxiliary reservoir 8 through the line 23. The pump I8 is operatively connected with the motor 4 by a belt 24.

Considering now. the operation of the present invention, the main receptacle is supplied with either hot or cold water through the connections l5 and I6, the amount of water being gauged to the depth of the openings l2. After the washing operation is completed, the closures 13 are opened to permit the scum and dirt floating on the surface 0! the water to enter the annular channel H, and, to facilitate drawing off of the same, the valve 20 is set to the position illustrated in Figure 2. which creates a. suction through the line 2| to the pump l8. At the same time, the valve 22 is set in the position illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawing. which causes the scum and dirt to be discharged through the line 2|.

After the scum is removed from the top of the washing water, in some instances the operator desires to economize lathe consumption of soap, and therefore provision is made for the drawing off 01 the soap water and storing the same in the auxiliary eservoir 8 for subsequent use atter sf the rinsing operation is completed by introduction of either hot or cold water through the connections l5 and I6.

To drain the main receptacle l of soap water, and store the same in the auxiliary reservoir 8, the valve 20 is set in the position shown in Figure 3, while the valve 22 is turned to that position illustrated in Figure 4. After the soap water has been withdrawn from the main receptacle, and stored in the reservoir 8, when it is desired to subsequently use the same, the plug 25 is removed, permitting the soap water to drain back into the main receptacle. While it is not essential, it is preferable to provide a cover 26 for the main receptacle, and the auxiliary reservoir 8.

From the foregoing explanation, considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and eflicient structure has been provided, in conjunction with conventional washing machines, which not only reduces the amount of labor required by the operator in rinsing clothes, due to the fact that they do not have to be removed irom the main receptacle, but also makes provision for storage and subsequent use of the soap water, after the rinsing operation, thus effecting a material economy in the use of soap or other astringents.

I claim:-

1. A washing machine including a receptacle having an outlet opening in the side wall intermediate its top and bottom, and a drain opening in its bottom, means for regulating said outlet opening, a reservoir mounted upon said receptacle adjacent its upper end and provided with a drain opening communicating with said receptacle, a circulating pump having communication with the outlet and drain openings of said receptacle and also with the reservoir, and means controlling said communication for selectively withdrawing scum through said outlet opening or storing water from said receptacle in said reservoir.

2. A washing machine including a receptacle having a plurality of outlet openings in its side wall intermediate its top and bottom, and a drain opening in its bottom, means for'regulating said outlet openings, a reservoir mounted upon said receptacle and provided with a drain opening communicating with said receptacle, a circulating pump having communication with the openings in said receptacle and with said reservoir for withdrawing scum or dirt through said opening and storing water from said receptacle in said reservoir, and valves for selective control of said pump communications.

DEMETRIOS G. ALEXOPOULOS. 

